Saturday, September 16, 2023

1) Kidnapped New Zealander reportedly in good health: Papua police chief


2) Ministry introduces local language teaching in Jayapura schools 

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/293805/kidnapped-new-zealander-reportedly-in-good-health-papua-police-chief

1) Kidnapped New Zealander reportedly in good health: Papua police chief



Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri stated that New Zealander Phillip Mehrtens, held captive by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group members since February 7, was reportedly in good health.

According to reports, Mehrtens was in good health though he was still worried about the kidnapped New Zealander's health condition, Fakhiri stated in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province, on Friday.

Regarding efforts to release him, Fakhiri noted that the Indonesian authorities continue the endeavors by laying emphasis on negotiations and involving elements from local communities, relatives, and the Nduga administration.

Negotiations still continue to prevent various parties from falling victims to violence, he affirmed while urging Egianus Kogoya for the immediate release of Mehrtens to help locals resume peaceful and normal lives.

Phillip Mehrtens was a pilot of Indonesian airline Susi Air when he was held captive shortly after the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group members set his aircraft on fire in Nduga District on February 7.

With regard to this case, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry and the New Zealand Government continue to communicate on efforts to free Mehrtens, according to the ministry's Director General of Public Information and Diplomacy Teuku Faizasyah.

Speaking in Padang, West Sumatra, on August 21, Faizasyah did not deny that freeing the New Zealand pilot would not be an easy task and would take time.

However, the most important thing is that the communication between the two countries continues, he said.

"I, myself, and the New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia meet every two weeks," he stated.

At the routine meeting, the ministry and the ambassador shared information, including consular facilitation.

In other words, the Indonesian Government has continued attempts to save Mehrtens from the armed group. At the same time, efforts to free the pilot are hopefully also made known to all parties, he added.

On the day he departed for Australia to attend the 2023 Annual Leaders Meeting on July 3, President Joko Widodo highlighted Indonesia's endeavors to free Mehrtens.

"We will keep trying and negotiating," Jokowi told reporters at the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport last July. 

Related news: RI, NZ continue to exchange notes on efforts to free pilot
Related news: Government urges caution in efforts to free hostage pilot in Papua
Related news: Efforts still ongoing to free abducted New Zealander pilot: Jokowi
  

Reporter: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala


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2) Ministry introduces local language teaching in Jayapura schools 
 20 hours ago

Sentani, Papua (ANTARA) - The Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry on Friday launched local language classes in primary and secondary schools in the Mamta/Tabi customary area of Jayapura, Papua.

Mamta/Tabi is a customary area in Papua that covers Jayapura city, Jayapura district, Keerom, Sarmi, and Memberamo Raya.

"The steps taken by the local government together with indigenous communities through the Papua Public Customary School align with the ministry's vision," an expert at the ministry's Curriculum and Learning Center, Taufiq Damarjati, observed here on Friday.

He said that one of the local languages there, the Sentani Language, is among the languages being prioritized for local language preservation and revitalization promoted by the government.

"Making education in line with culture and the Merdeka Belajar (Independent in Learning) Program Episode 17, we strive to preserve culture and language, especially in regions," he added.

He said the local language subject learning aligns with the ministry's program to revive local languages or mother tongues nationwide.

 

He noted that the number of speakers of local languages has been declining, so it is the government's serious concern to maintain local and first languages.

"This problem of declining speakers of local languages is not only happening in Sentani, but also in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi," he said.

To tackle the problem, Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim launched the local language revitalization program, he added.

Head of the Jayapura District Education and Teaching Office, Eqberth C. Kopeuw, said the class for learning local languages in all schools in the region must be made available.

"We do not have local language learning in kindergartens because the classes are for playing, but primary to secondary schools and vocational schools must have local language learning that is according to the customary areas in Jayapura," he added.

Reporter: Yudhi E, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga

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